Probe: I’m Not In EFCC Custody – Mele Kyari, Ex-GCEO Of NNPC Ltd Says

Mr Mele Kyari, former Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), has said that he is not in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Kyari, in a statement on Saturday, May 3, 2025, described the report of his alleged detention as “clear mischief and a calculated attempt to achieve a desired outcome.

Kyari, however expressed his readiness to account for his stewardship, just as he assured his family and friends of his availability to respond to all lawful queries, saying; “I served not only my country but also God. I am happy to account for my stewardship.”

The former Group Chief Executive of the NNPC Ltd for over five years, stressed that as a Muslim, he is prepared to face accountability, adding that he served with the fear of God knowing fully well that if e does not account before man, he will surely account before Allah.

In the words of Kyari; “I am better off accounting to the institutions of man. I’m currently taking a well-deserved rest following the dissolution of the NNPCL management and board, where I served for 34 years, including 17 in management roles. Having served the NNPC and the NNPCL for 34 years… I had little time for leave of even two weeks,” Kyari said.

He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve under Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The EFCC is currently investigating the mismanagement of about $2.96 billion allocated for the turn around maintenance of the nation’s refineries with reports indicating that the projects yielded little or no results.

 The Port Harcourt refinery, for instance, allegedly gulped $1.56 billion, but operating at less than 40% capacity, while the Warri refinery, despite a $897.6 million investment, has failed to produce petrol since its reopening in January 2025.

The EFCC accordingly, arrested former managing directors of the three refineries, along with some other senior NNPCL officials, as part of the probe.

In what appeared a shocking revelation, one of the former managing directors of the refineries was alleged to have accumulated N80 billion in personal bank accounts, thereby prompting deeper investigations into financial discrepancies.

This was as it was gathered that Kyari and 13 former NNPCL executives, including Abubakar Yar’Adua and Ibrahim Onoja, is also under scrutiny for alleged abuse of office and misappropriation of funds.

However, Kyari told journalists to excercise caution while reporting unverified stories, stressing that disinformation could harm Nigeria’s image among investors and the international community.

He said; “It is important to state that the resort to disinformation does not serve anyone’s purpose, the NNPCL or the country in general”.